What’s your view on asking friends and family to support your brand? We asked members of the community to open up and share their views on this controversial topic. Check out some highlights below.

Ashley Valdivieso

Honestly, we could not have done what we have in the time we have if it weren’t for our family and friends supporting and helping us. We have a core group that we are grateful for every day. They have all been with us since the beginning and have helped us along the way with little payment in return except maybe for a pizza and beer here or there. I don’t know if they enjoy the work, but I hope they do. Or at least enjoy helping a friend which I know they all do. We are surrounded by the most selfless, kindest people. Read more>>

Ruthie Bolton

Starting a small business can be nerve-wracking because the support from friends and family, although vocal, may not be tangible. While their verbal encouragement has been impactful in my designing, I was nervous about selling my products to others because I feared that they might only be buying from me out of love rather than genuine interest in my business. However, I learned that their support was the fuel I needed to branch out. Their recommendations of who to reach and market my designs to drastically encouraged me. I felt like I was very clear with myself that I wouldn’t push my friends and family to buy into what I was doing. Rather, I would simply share the path I was on and let them invest in any way they wanted. It was so special to see and experience friends and family enjoy and be brought together! Read more>>

Freddie Floyd Jr

When I started my writing journey, I was very excited, and I wanted everyone I knew to be just as enthusiastic as I was, but I learned quickly that this was not real. My close friends weren’t supporting me in the way I hoped they would. I realized people you are close to will help you when it benefits them. They will give you the word congratulations; however, you will notice most don’t support you, which was a hard pill to swallow early on in my career. Not to say that is everyone, but I have learned that strangers tend to support you faster than your friends and family. Read more>>